March 1, 2007

In the Richest Country in the World, Boy Dies of Toothache

An off and on homeless family, sick children, no medical insurance. Medicaid failed them. The dentists won't see the child because they don't accept Medicaid. Seeing the doctor in the beginning would've cost $80. Now, the boy is dead, and the bill is $250,000. Welcome to America.

Twelve-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache Sunday.A routine, $80 tooth extraction might have saved him.If his mother had been insured.If his family had not lost its Medicaid.If Medicaid dentists weren't so hard to find.If his mother hadn't been focused on getting a dentist for his brother, who had six rotted teeth.By the time Deamonte's own aching tooth got any attention, the bacteria from the abscess had spread to his brain, doctors said. After two operations and more than six weeks of hospital care, the Prince George's County boy died.Deamonte's death and the ultimate cost of his care, which could total more than $250,000, underscore an often-overlooked concern in the debate over universal health coverage: dental care.

4 Comments:

I just read an article in the New York Times indicating that many Americans support a universal health care plan. And the debate begins! But the only people who seem to be opposed universal health care are people who can afford it anyways, they just don't want their tax dollars being spent to help other people.

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an idealistic 22-year old's attempts to vent feelings and rationalize happenings in this world through this space. although i have occupied this blog, i do not plan on enforcing this occupation through concrete barriers that will prevent visitors from traveling though this site. Nor will I use security check points to make sure that individuals have the right nationality/race/ethnicity in order to comment. this blog is an expression of my thoughts on international politics, human rights, globalization, culture, and society with a focus on the Middle East from an Arab American perspective.